Planning Your Holiday Party by Karen Miller

Planning Your Holiday Party by Karen Miller

The holidays are upon us once again, and one of our favorite things to do during this season is to explore the latest trends in wine and spirits, both for gift-giving and for entertaining. At Amelia Island Wine Company, manager Holly Carlile has just returned from a trip to Puglia, Italy, with lots of suggestions for new wines to enjoy during the holidays.

“Italian wines are great to pair with your holiday meal, now even more so!” says Carlile. “Italy has around 2,000 grape varietals, and this region is well-known for its grape varietals. I fell in love with a white grape varietal called Fiano from Cantina La Marchesa. This wine is perfect way to pair with hors d’oeuvres and appetizers. I also love ham for our family holiday meal, and I like to pair rose with it.”

Another must-try wine, adds Carlile, is Il Melograno, which means “the pomegranate,” also from Cantina La Marchesa “This rose, made from Nero di Troia, it is bright and fragrant with red fruits in evidence, cherry and pomegranate, currant and raspberry, and floral notes. For a red, I would look to the region of Abruzzo, known for its Montepulciano grape.”

Mitchell Wickless, owner of Five Points Liquor, says that bourbon is hotter than ever right now. “Bourbons are number one across the country,” says Wickless. “Especially allocated bourbons. They make a great gift for your bourbon loving friends, and a special treat for yourself.” With origins in Bourbon County, Kentucky, the production of bourbon has since expanded across numerous states with bottles of various flavors and price points available.

If you want to impress your bourbon-loving friends, a Smoked Old-Fashioned cocktail is the way to go, but you’re going to need to purchase a smoking gun. Prepare the Old Fashioned using your favorite recipe, then place the cocktail under a smoking dome and use the smoking gun to add smoke. Let sit for 2 to 4 minutes before removing the dome, then serve!

For holiday gatherings, be sure to stock your bar properly with the usual suspects, like vodka, gin, bourbon, rye whiskey, rum, and tequila, depending on the types of cocktails you want to serve. You’ll also need red and white wine, beer, and maybe hard cider, which is popular now, along with mixers and plenty of non-alcoholic drinks and juices.

If you don’t want to go “all-in” with an extensive bar, you might consider creating one signature cocktail, or plan your party around a pot of gløgg, a spiced and sweetened, heated red wine, or a punch bowl full of rich eggnog. And don’t forget the proper glassware, which really does make a difference in the way your drinks taste, especially champagne and wine.

Remember those cocktail napkins you received at Christmas last year? It’s time to get those out for this year’s parties, and don’t forget all the go-withs like olives, lemons, limes, oranges, bitters, and flavored salts for rimming your glasses.

If you’re looking for new wines this year, Amelia Island Wine Company offers wine tastings every Friday night, with a special holiday “bubbles” tasting of sparkling wines on December 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. They are located at 4924 First Coast Highway. Five Points Liquors, located at 2112 South 8th Street, has a knowledgeable staff who can help you stock your bar. Enjoy the holiday season on Amelia Island this year and be sure to drink responsibly!